Men's Basketball Opens Season With Thrilling Victory Over Portland Bible

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark men's basketball team kicked off their season in dominant fashion, rolling to a 108-58 victory of Portland Bible in the Bon Appétit NWC Tipoff Classic on Saturday, Nov. 16.

The Pioneers were dominant in every facet of the game, scoring 19 points before Portland Bible even got on the scoreboard. They shot an impressive 51.2 percent from the field and led by as many as 52 points during the game.

Kurt Parker was the top scorer for Lewis & Clark, registering 21 points off the bench in just 15 minutes of action. Parker wasn't the only non-starter to shine however; the Pioneers bench outscored Portland Bibles' 72-13.

Lewis & Clark had four players finish with double-digit scoring totals. Freshman Cannen Roberson scored 12 points off the bench, Justin Leathers added 11, and Serg Ovchinnikov finished with 10 points on 4-10 shooting, including 2-6 from three-point range. Almost every player scored for Lewis & Clark in the victory.

Perhaps even more impressive was the Pioneers' defensive ferocity. They forced Portland Bible into 30 turnovers that turned into 39 points for them. The Wildcats shot a combined 32 percent from the field and registered only six second-chance points.

In addition to scoring, Roberson grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Connor Freeberg led the Pioneers in assists with four, and also notched a team best two blocks.

Lewis & Clark continue play in the Bon Appetit NWC Tipoff Classic tomorrow when they face Old Westbury in what will also be their home opener. Game time is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.